Overview

The $270 million Arrow Lakes Generating Station Project saw the addition of a powerhouse located immediately downstream of BC Hydro’s water storage Hugh Keenleyside Dam on the Columbia River. The powerhouse takes advantage of the existing hydraulic head and generates power from water that would otherwise be spilled. Output from generating station is connected to the Brilliant Terminal Station by a 14km transmission line and later is delivered to BC Hydro’s Selkirk Substation. The powerhouse produces clean, renewable, cost effective, energy for all British Columbians.

At the peak of construction, over 400 people were working directly on the project. Of those 400 people approximately 85% were local residents within 100km of the project. Over $45 million was paid in wages and over $25 million was injected into the local economy through the purchase of goods and services.

During construction the owners met regularly with a Community Impact Management Committee (CIMC), consisting of local residents, members of local and regional government, first nations, and the contractors. These stakeholders provided ongoing support to encourage positive community impacts and benefits and relay community concerns resulting from construction of the project. The CIMC oversaw an independent socio-economic monitor who produced reports that are available to the public.

The project was committed to a high standard of quality, safety and environmental stewardship.

Columbia Power managed the construction of this project on behalf of the owners and continues to manage the operations of this facility and oversees all maintenance working together with our contractor FortisBC.